Iran is experiencing a serious political crisis following the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an attack by US and Israeli forces last Saturday. While the country faces bombings and a power vacuum, influential names in the regime try to guarantee the survival of the Islamic system.
Who is the most powerful figure in Iran today?
Ali Larijani emerged as the main face of the regime. He is the head of the National Security Council and was Khamenei’s trusted man. Although he is not a religious person (cleric), which legally prevents him from being the new supreme leader, he governs the country behind the scenes and adopted an aggressive tone against American President Donald Trump, closing the door to immediate negotiations.
How does the power structure work during this transition?
With the death of the maximum leader, temporary command was assumed by a triumvirate formed by the current president of Iran, the head of the Judiciary and a jurist from the Council of Guardians. This group must manage the country until a definitive solution is found, but the scenario is one of uncertainty due to the death of almost 50 military and political leaders in a few days.
Which names are considered for the definitive succession?
In addition to Larijani, other strong names circulate in the corridors of Tehran: Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i (head of the Judiciary), Ali Asghar Hejazi (chief of staff of the former leader) and Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late ayatollah. However, Donald Trump has already declared that Mojtaba’s choice would be unacceptable to the US as he considers it a continuation of the previous policy.
What is Donald Trump’s stance on the Iranian future?
The American president stated that he wants to participate in choosing Iran’s new leader, citing the transition in Venezuela as an example. Trump ruled out names that maintain Khamenei’s ideology to avoid future conflicts and indicated that he prefers a popular candidate who lives within the country, instead of heirs in exile, such as Prince Reza Pahlavi.
Is the regime at risk of immediate collapse?
Experts point out that the Iranian system is resilient and does not depend solely on one man, being supported by strong institutions and the Revolutionary Guard. While Trump encourages popular uprisings, the regime tries to demonstrate strength by attacking minorities, such as Kurdish groups, to maintain internal control amid the chaos of war.
Content produced based on information gathered by the Gazeta do Povo team of reporters. To access the full information and delve deeper into the topic, read the report below.
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